I’m currently do preparatory music studies in Budapest (I’m American) and at the moment plan to go to college here as well. But I’ve looked a bit at music schools in the States as well and my curiosity is piqued. What sort of solfege/music theory training do they require for entrance? The Juilliard site says they give you tests of ‘basic musicianship’. Is this just sight-singing? Is there dictation as well? If so, how difficult? Is ear-training taken very seriously in the States, as it is in Hungary? Maybe it varies by instrument? I’m a pianist, and I’ve heard a pianist has to know more theory than a singer, for example. True in the U.S. as well?
<p>Once you get into conservatory/music program in the US there is a heavy emphasis on theory and ear training (aural skills). Most high school students in the US have a weak background in these areas, although some college programs will do a theory test for admission. It is really more for placement.</p>
<p>My son is currently in a top conservatory and auditioned for several. They do a theory test during auditions, but it is for placement, not for admissions. There are too many kids who have very limited access to theory to make it an admission requirement.</p>
<p>Thanks! Which conservatory did your son end up at, and does he like it?</p>
<p>I figure if you have your stuff down enough then you will probably be fine, pretty much as shennie said. If they ask you to sight-sing I’m sure that you will probably do fine, especially as you are coming from a music prep program. And Julliard is like the top music school in the country, so if you’re thinking about going there, you still should be prepared for some heavy stuff. </p>
<p>Not too many kids have access to a lot of things that would be almost necessary for admission into Julliard and the like to begin with, so the programs probably make their fair share of assumptions. Growing up where I did and coming from the background I did, I didn’t have any real access to legitimate research opportunities like some kids on here apparently have, and as far as music, although I wanted one much earlier neither I nor my parents had money to spare to buy me a guitar until about 3 years ago, and such things can really help applications and contests for admissions into any sort of programs. So although you probably don’t need to be very worried, especially coming from a music prep program, getting into a good program of any type will require that you show up with more than “most kids” had access to.</p>
<p>Does ‘top school’ mean Juilliard is the most prestigious or the school with the best teaching or both? The school with the big name in Budapest is the Liszt Academy, but my teacher doesn’t want me to go there. She says they care more about money than about their students, and says it’s more worthwhile to apply to the Teachers’ College (a branch of the Academy).</p>
<p>Coscam - my son attends Eastman School of Music in Rochester and is a cello performance major. He likes Eastman quite a bit. A big part of that is his cello teacher who is fantastic. </p>
<p>Juilliard is definitely the most well known school in US for music, but there are others that are quite strong as well. The most difficult to get into is the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Other excellent schools include New England Conservatory in Boston, Peabody Institute in Baltimore, and the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, OH. In addition, there are number of colleges and universities with excellent music programs. Rice University in Houston, Oberlin College, Indiana University and Northwestern University to name a few. Often, the choice if where to attend school is based on where the teachers are with whom you wish to study. There are excellent piano teachers at most of these schools as well as many others I haven’t listed.</p>
<p>I hate solfege because it interferes with my conception of the pitches.</p>
<p>Care to elaborate?</p>
<p>In my mind I aurally picture what a C is (every note is a spectrum of color), but if I attach a word to it (do), it disrupts my thought and I can’t recall it from memory. It makes sightsinging impossible for me if solfege is required.</p>
<p>Cosam, theory tests at some schools aren’t even required for admission-- they’re administered simply to place you into a class should you attend the following year. When the tests count for anything, it is usually only to tip the balance one way or the other for a tough admission decision. Don’t be too concerned. Each test will vary, but you can expect some dictation, triad ID, basic score analysis, questions about scales and clef-reading, and some general music history. Sight-singing may or may not be required, depending on your instrument.</p>